VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY - CINEMA

The course allows students who are pursuing a specialist degree in Cultural Anthropology, Ethnology and Ethnolinguistics, or who are interested in learning the ethnographic method, to study the problems related to the use of audio-visual methodologies in field research. The aim of the course is to provide students with the necessary theoretical tools both to evaluate the appropriateness of using audio-visual media in research, and to evaluate third-party audiovisual production by inserting it into the debate theoretical-methodological that has developed within visual anthropology especially since the 60s to today. We will also present some examples of communication of anthropological knowledge through methods considered "experimental" such as curating exhibitions or graphic novels.

Attendance of lectures, individual study of reference literature, individual or collective vision of ethnographic documentaries, participation in group debates, and optional experimentation in the use of audio-visual media, will allow the student to:
1. Knowledge and understanding
Acquire the ability to critically analyze an audio-visual document; critically evaluate the role of different senses in ethnographic observation.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Acquisition of the basic tools to experiment with alternative research methods as part of field observation
Acquisition of basic tools for the use of dissemination methods in anthropological knowledge
3. Judgment capacity
Acquisition of the basic analytical tools necessary to analyze and evaluate the audio-visual production of third parties within anthropological research
4. Communication skills
Through the group exercises carried out during the course, the student will be familiarized with the audio-visual communication tools.
5. Ability to learn
Through the preparation of the final thesis, the student will strengthen his critical and independent research skills.

Students will have an advantage in using the course if they already have a basic knowledge of the ethnographic method and the main concepts of anthropological theory; however, technical knowledge is not required regarding the use of audio-visual media in general. As far as EGART students are concerned, it is recommended that students be familiar with the main characteristics of the participant observation method in anthropology.

1. Critical analysis of the concept of 'visualism' within the contemporary anthropological debate; the role of the senses in the production of anthropological knowledge.
2. Origins of the ethnographic documentary.
3. Use of the voice in off in audio-visual production. Case-study: a comparison between "Les maitres fous" by Jean Roush and "La taranta" by Mingozzi.
4. Points of view in ethnographic research: thinking through editing and framing.
5. Visualscapes / Soundscapes: viewing of the documentary "Rivers of Sand" by Robert Gardner.
6. Observation cinema and beyond.
7. The ethnofiction method in the production of ethnographic documentaries
8. Experimental methods of spreading ethnographic knowledge as curating exhibitions and graphic novels.

Filmography:

"Les maitres fous" and "Moi, un noir" by Jean Rouch.
"La taranta" by Mingozzi.
"To live with herd" by MacDougall.
"Eux et moi" by Stephan Breton.
"Rivers of sand" by Robert Gardner.
"Duka's Dilemma" by Jean Lydall.
"Transfiction" by Johannes Sjoberg.

Main authors (the articles will be made available in the moodle platform):

Rouch, Jean
Henley, Paul
MacDougall, David
Howes, David
Sjöberg, Johannes

ATTENTION: TEMPORARY MODIFICATION CAUSED BY CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY

For the final exam, students will have to take both a written and an oral test.
On the day of the exam, students will:
A) Deliver a written essay drawn up on the basis of a trace provided fifteen days before
B) Present the dissertation in oral form, responding to any requests for further information from the teacher.
Both the written track and the delivery will take place via the moodle platform.

Vision and commentary of selected documentaries in class; possibility for students to work in groups in oder to make small ethnographic videos;

Italian

written